Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-12
THE FINEST.
The Beautiful Pa Crusta Decoration IN ths
First Arkansas Valley Bank.


The Beautiful Pa Crusta Decoration in the
First Arkansas Valley Bank.
One would not suppose while in this western
city that within a few steps OF him may DE
seen an apartment the mural decorations OF
which rival, if not surpass In that respect,
the ancient Spanish cortez, the Venetian
ducal palace or regal court il, the Eliza
bethan period.
The one mentioned is that of the First
Arkansas Valley Bank, located On North
Main street. Upon entering he beholder Is
dazzled with the superb brilliancy of the
blending of innunerable colors, and with the
novel and ever original effect of the lately
patented wall decorative-Pa Crusta-
For those who are not already informed
Pa Crusta is composition ofpaper applied IN
moist state to the walls by the use only OF
the hands Of the artist, and SO its effects of
relief are always original and never twice
alike; in fact, its finish is only limited by the
capabilities Of the artist. Pa Crusta Is al
lowed to dry and harden, which IS enhanced
by the use of harmless chemical bath,
| which stiffens the texture ofthe paper when
| fully dry. 1t is then quite as hard as though
it were solid body. In this crude state it is
given into the hands of the decorator, who
brings to his aid all the great advantages
known to his profession, and colors, metal
ICES, bronzes or paints its surface.
This work, superintendent and designed by
NJ. j. Parrot, Of Hyde & Humble, has been
progressing for almost two months, and it is
pronounced by tt ose who are posted on this
particular line of art, to be by far the finest
piece of work in this line yet designed or ex-
ecuted.
The sides of the walls are divided into per-
pendicular and horizontal panels, giving
both depth and height in the appearance OF
the room: the field of the panels Is a gray
olive blending upward with dove antique
copper for cove effect.
The division of the panels is effected by
columns supporting the ceiling with orna-
mental rosettes in plastic relief, forming the
capital of the columns, which are bordered
| with copper bronze mouldings. The whole
ceiling is divided into three panels, differing
| in size and design, but with the same tone of
coloring throughout. A rich sage green ex-
tension borders the entire ceiling and divides
the three panels, itself bordered by a GRIM
son bead. Inside of this is a design Of
each respective panel formed by band
of incrusta walton, light blue IN
color, with ornaments stenciled in gold; i'm
mediate1y inside Of the last described band
is another, with the edges outlined with pa
| crusta, the band itself bordered with lin
crusta border This deserves special notice
| owing to the perfectness of the circle, which
could be procured only with pacrusta. The
| center of the band is a dice, or a design of
{! the .un in deep rich gold with innumerable
| rays of gold blending out into each respec-
| tive panel and terminating into a field Of
ecru or cream color.
The coloring is indescribable, the eye alone
may convey the splendid beauty to the brain
A charming effect is produced by tie low
relief of the pacrusta in variegated tones OF
coloring, bordered or divided by the columns
in higher relief and blended from deeper
color at the base to lighter at the top, Civ
ing it heavier appearance at the former.
Directly back of the receiving teller. on a
conspicuous panel over the mantel, is the
device-First Ark. Val. Bank The letters
are formed Of pacrusta, the outline being
colored deep, rich, madden red, the letters
proper being filed with gold and cambria
glitter.
l. A description of the ornamentation would
be incomplete without mention of the vault.
This is covered with lincrusta walton, col
ored ano made to represent modern figured
IRON The base is dado pattern, with alter
nate figured panels. The filling Of the main
panel has the hammered metal effect, while
the columns dividing the main panels are of
lincrusta, representing luted iron columns.
The work, was as it might be called, a test
and in summing upit is difficult to decide who
deserves the greater credit. Messrs. Wood
man, who allowed thir place for an expert
ment which might have been unsuccessful or
Messrs Hyde & Humble who have given
the time, labor and money to further the de-
mand for pa-crusta, which had the job
proved failure would have been some loss
to them But in speaking of these, Mr.. PARROT
of the decorative department in Hyde q
| Humble, who conceived the design and whose
care and personal supervision in the affair
made it successful, should not be overlooked,
as he stands at the head of the procession in
the pa-crusta line.